AIBU to just need a puppy now?

[InstantCanineGratification]

I quietly know IABU but I just want someone, anyone to be on my side.
DD#2 will turn 8 in a month. All she wants in life is a puppy. Me too. DW isn't convinced and it'll be awful if we get one without her consent. We are expecting to renovate the kitchen and bathroom and redecorate the house this year - haven't employed the people to work on the place and I know the lead time takes about 6 months. Just the right amount of time to have a little puppy make all the mess she wants...
So I want a puppy now. DW has eventually been beaten downinto agreeing relented and said OK... but now she has, I want one NOW. There's a gorgeous little ball of fluff just waiting for us to bring her home and DW says we shouldn't do it until after the renovations.
AIB completely U to want to do it now?

I wouldn't want to be settling in a puppy whilst doing noisy and disruptive building work. Not a calm environment at all.

What kind of puppy? (I'm just nosy)

If you're going to get one do it well before the renovations start.

They are bloody hard work though. My Dad reckons three of us as babies were easier put together than one lab puppy...

Get one. My puppy was so easy. Mind you no crates here just bed cuddles. Best thing we ever did and dh adores her and he was initially cautious.

Mind you she's only a small dog.

I found poodle puppies easy. Relatively. The lab we had as a child was a 'puppy' for five years and turned our lives (and the house) upside down.

Our dog is utterly batshit and as a pup was far, far worse than any baby I've met. She's a spaniel, though, so prone to utter stupidity (she once ate and shat out a sock) so it depends what breed you get, who's home to train/tend to it and how disruptive the renovations will really be.

Do it now - right now - this minute - it'd be daft to get a puppy after the renovations surely??

I agree that having a puppy during building work is far from ideal for many reasons. It's also pretty ambitious to be expecting all mess-making behaviours to be done and dusted with in only six months!!

It also takes time to find a puppy from a decent breeder. You need to find one who is breeding exactly what you want, who health tests and puts all the necessary effort into raising the puppies appropriately. Generally they will have waiting lists which open before the puppies are born, sometimes even before the mating has taken place.

Unless you're incredibly lucky then chances are if someone has a puppy for sale that's available immediately then they're not a terribly good breeder.

I'd start looking now (researching breeds, making contact with breeders, etc.) with a view to possibly getting a puppy well after the building work is done with.

Get a puppy now
What are you going to do with it when the novelty wears off - drown it?

Who's going to be doing the work with this puppy?

I only ask because usually usually walking a dog becomes the kind of shitwork that the wife gets lumbered with.

Could this be why she's reluctant?

What a ridiculous thing to say bollard

Does it have to be a puppy?

I'd go for a rescue dog. They're quite often a lot less hard work than a puppy.

I think in part it depends on how much experience you have with puppies. Don't expect that your cute ball of fluff will suddenly start respecting your newly decorated house once it reaches 6 months +. It might be fine, but teenage dogs can be terrors for destruction. The dog you end up with will depend on the breed and on how much time and effort you invest in training and socialising. Ideally one of you will need to be at home pretty much full time. You might "want" a puppy but can you can you provide what that puppy needs?
A young dog might struggle to cope with disruption and chaos. If your DW is not totally onboard and your puppy becomes hard work at the same time as you are having lots of renovation work done you might find yourself having an "It's me of the dog!" conversation.
DS1 was desperate for a puppy. We spent months researching puppy breeds but ultimately decided to adopt rather than shop - not wanting to risk adding to the sad puppy farming statistics. We adopted a greyhound - best choice ever. She's totally wonderful.

I think it does depend on the breed.

The lab next door is crazy but our tiny Yorkie is easy

I got a puppy before renovations. Terrible idea. Don't do it. Wait until the work is done and things are calm again.

Have you got the time for the puppy? If you want to surprise / win over DW, your DD & you have to do the work!
(Unfortunately that will start with cleaning up poop...)

Are you intending to be its primary carer (all food, walks etc)? Because your child obviously isn't going to be.

Maybe your DW thinks you'll be leaving all the shitwork to her.

Why a puppy? Do you have experience with dogs? Or puppies?

Your DW shouldn't need to be 'beaten down' over the issue. It will create resentment. Like babies, adding to the family needs to be a joint decision or you stary into 'manipulative bully' territory.

*stray

that's where I'm at rizlett - I think all the mess has to get out of the way now.
I've been doing loads of research and there is a perfect Kennel Club registered pup who will be ready in 6 weeks.

It's a lab. I know it's hard work and I've had dogs as a kid.

DW will indeed be lumbered with morning walks and me as DW2 will be doing the evening walks.
We have a good working from home set up and are ideally placed to have a dog... (rescue dog would be lovely but you try actually finding one who will have you when you have a DD of 8 and of 9 and a cat - it's ridiculously hard to find one!!) - selfishly I'd also love my DD to have a puppy to nurture and care for.
So it's just a matter of - how long will it take for the renovations to start and finish - and why can't we have a puppy 'now' (in 5 weeks) before any of that craziness begins!!

If it chews something now, that's ok. If it nibbles the new kitchen.....

I have a lab. Lab puppies are land sharks but if you do the hard work they are fantastic family pets. One word of caution, ours needs at least 2x1 hour walks per day. If as a family you can commit to that then go for it

If your dw isn't absolutely, totally, utterly sure, then don't do it. Puppies are hard work, and all members of the family need to be committed. Esp with labs who are mad for years.

There are rescue dogs who meet your criteria - Luke for instance

We are about to get a rescue dog with young children and cats, it can be done. The smaller rescues are often happier, especially if their dogs are fostered so can be assessed. Get a lurcher or a greyhound!